Hibernians lose narrowly to Shakhtyor

A goal mid-way through the second half handed Shakhtyor Soligorsk a narrow win over Hibernians at the Stroitel Stadium in Soligorsk in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on Thursday.

A result which maintains alive the Paolites’ chances of reaching the next stage where they would face Danish side Esbjerg.

Hibs coach Stefano Sanderra named new signings Ferdinando Apap, Terence Groothusen and Leonardo Nanni in the starting line-up while Jens Wemmer was included as a substitute.

Valeri Gromyko scored the all-important goal for Shakhtyor on the 69th minute.

SHAKHTYOR Andrei Klimovich, Sergei Matveichik, Nikola Antic, Igor Burko, Valeri Gromyko, Elis Bakaj, Aleksandr Sachivko, Vladimir Khvaschinski (46’ Nikolai Yanush), Anton Kovalev, Julius Szoke, Max Ebong (46’ Nikita Tatarkov).

HIBS Marko Jovicic, Timothy Tabone Desira, Ferdinando Apap, Marcio Barbosa da Silveira, Joseph Mbong, Jake Grech (74’ Jens Wemmer), Terence Groothusen, Bjorn Kristensen, Dunstan Vella, Andrei Agius, Leonardo Nanni (89’ David Xuereb).

Referee: Jovan Kaludjerovic (MNE)
Assistant Referees: Danijel Devic, Ivan Bogdanovic (MNE)
Fourth Official: Mileta Scepanovic (MNE)